Vietnamese players are in good form and the goal of outperforming their Myanmar rivals in their opening game on November 24 is within reach, says midfielder Trong Hoang.

Hoang, one of the key players in Vietnam’s line-up, told the media in Bangkok, Thailand, that all the players are in a good mood following warm-up exercises and they show strong resolve to win the opening game.

The hot weather in Bangkok does not dampen the whole team’s spirits and they are all comfortable for the common goal, said Hoang.

“They are training hard, striving for official positions in the line up,” said the Song Lam Nghe An club midfielder.

According to him, this year Myanmar players are quite young and some of them played quite well at last year’s Southeast Asian Games.

“Both Vietnam and Myanmar know each other very well because they have had many face-to-face encounters in previous qualifying rounds.

“But I believe Vietnam will secure their first win if they play to their strength,” said Hoang.

Vietnam will take on Myanmar on November 24, the Philippines on November 27 and hosts Thailand on November 30 in their Group A matches.

Meanwhile, striker Cong Vinh forecast that both Vietnam and Thailand would qualify for the semi-finals.

Vietnam aim to enter the final game, and at a send-off ceremony on November 19, coach Phan Thanh Hung vowed to live up to spectators’ expectations.  

VOV